Companies must make social license a focus
When assessing a company, investors spend a great deal of time examining factors such as its balance sheet, past performance and potential for future growth. However, many investors overlook a factor which is becoming increasingly important: social licence. Leon Kamhi, Head of Responsibility at Hermes Investment Management, discusses how a company needs to think about the […]
How cyber-attacks will change the face of company boards
Leon Kamhi, Head of Responsibility, Hermes Investment Management: In recent months, some of the UK’s largest companies have suffered major data breaches or significant technical issues which have resulted in disruption for stakeholders, including customers, staff and investors. When these events occur, consumers are the first to be hit by having their data compromised or […]
We can all get along
In this two-part paper, we assert that the shared interests of bond and shareholders in companies provide incentives to jointly engage companies – and generate positive outcomes by doing so. In this first instalment, we dispel the fallacy that the imperatives of bond and shareholders typically diverge, and argue that their common standing as financial […]
Hermes EOS appointed by Brunel Pension Partnership
Hermes Investment Management has today announced that its stewardship and engagement team, Hermes EOS, has been appointed by Brunel Pension Partnership (Brunel) to provide voting and engagement services. Brunel brings together circa £30 billion investments of 10 likeminded Local Government Pensions Scheme funds. It is one of eight national pooled funds and will manage the […]
Solving the plastic problem
Investing in a circular economy
Hermes is turning up the heat on climate change with the launch of a carbon tool
Hermes Investment Management, the £33.6 billion manager, has been investing in the development of a number of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) tools for its fund managers and engagers to use to make enhanced investment decisions and to better inform engagement activities with companies on ESG matters. Hermes will be launching a carbon tool that […]
Hermes expands EOS team in North America
Hermes Investment Management, the £30.8 billion manager, has appointed Tim Youmans as Engagement Director in its stewardship and engagement team, Hermes EOS. Based in New York, Tim will focus on enhancing the activities of Hermes EOS in the North American market and will report to Bruce Duguid, Head of Stewardship, Hermes EOS. In this role, […]
Hermes EOS to call for more effective leadership and management stability at Deutsche Bank AGM
Ahead of the Deutsche Bank AG AGM on Thursday 24 May, Dr. Hans-Christoph Hirt, Head of Hermes EOS at Hermes Investment Management, highlights the questions the Chair needs to answer and explains why the Chair is ultimately responsible for the company’s limited progress in the implementation of a value-creating strategy. He also raises concerns about the […]
Hermes EOS to provide qualified support for the Chair of Deutsche Börse
Ahead of the Deutsche Börse AGM on Wednesday 16 May, Dr Michael Viehs, Associate Director of Responsibility, comments on Hermes EOS’s voting recommendations and the qualified support for the re-election of Joachim Faber, the Chair of the supervisory board. Specifically, Hermes EOS recommends its clients and other investors to: Vote against the discharge of the company’s former CEO Carsten […]
Hermes EOS to raise investors’ concerns at the Volkswagen AGM
Ahead of the Volkswagen AGM on Thursday 3 May, Dr Michael Viehs, Associate Director of Responsibility, comments on Hermes EOS’ voting recommendations and highlights the issues the company urgently needs to address: Recommendation to vote against the candidates proposed for election to the supervisory board A call for an external supervisory board and corporate culture […]
